MMPI

Brian and I attended our psychological evaluation yesterday. We had a consultation with the psychologist, then took the MMPI - a personality test that had over 300 questions.
The doctor was pleasant enough. We had a discussion that hopefully left her satisfied that we were not totally crazy.

During the testing, Brian and I were placed in separate rooms. I laughed out loud at some of the questions - especially the paranoia ones. After we left the appointment, Brian and I discussed our answers. OMG! They are going to think that Brian is egotistical, cheating, has no respect for authority, unhappily married and I am a lier!!!!

Some of the questions we discussed:
I always tell the truth. I marked T (true). Well, I sometimes don't tell the WHOLE truth. Sometimes, I am more tactful, I avoid saying the truth, or avoid the question. I like to be truthful, but sometimes being kind outweighs the depth of the truth that exists. Sometimes, I want to spare someones feelings, so I lessen the blow. Brian says this would be lying. hmmm... difference of semantics, I suppose.

1 or both partners in a marriage are unhappy. Brian marked T
Most men cheat on their wives. Brian marked T
Everything would be better if we got rid of most laws. Brian marked T
I have had to take orders from someone who knew less than me. Brian marked T
I am about as capable as others around me. Brian put F, because he feels he is more capable!

Geesh - can we say EGOTISTICAL? Brian IS a smart, capable guy, don't think highly of most people, and is very libertarian minded. When asked about the marriage and cheating, he responded that it is a statistical fact that majority of marriages end in divorce, hence being unhappy. He doesn't think high of most men. The question was in regards to most men/most people, NOT him. OK.

I am interested in gender differences for the MMPI. I am sure his responses are more in the norm for males than females, but still! I keep telling him that he going to be pulled back in for counseling before we can move forward! I sent the remainder of the day fretting and stewing over the answers. geesh!

The psychologist will call us back in if there needs to be further discussion. We will hear how we did soon, I suppose.

Hopefully, we can start moving forward on the legal contract and medical consultation soon. I am looking forward to moving on to the more exciting parts of this process!

Fertility Clinic

Just a quick note to say I have a phone call into the fertility clinic of the intended parents to have a phone consultation with the fertility doctor. I will post an update after I have the conversation. Most likely, there will be discussion of medical procedures involved in the surrogacy process. They probably want to make sure I am fully informed of what I am getting involved in.

I am scheduled for my psychological evaluation this Friday. After I am cleared/considered stable enough to be a surrogate, the intended parents and I can get started on the legal contracts and I will schedule a medical screening/consultation with the fertility doctor. I know how anxious I am to get things moving.....I can only imagine what anxiety the intended parents have...trusting in the surrogacy process and waiting for their babies......

Immunization received

I saw my primary physician today and received my MMR vaccine. Ouch - it hurt! Babies are tough lil' suckers for having to get all those shots! My doctor looked at the labs from when it stated that I no longer had immunity. I still had some immunity left, but not in the desired range. Mine was either 8.75 or 8.93 and it needed to be above 9.99. I will have to get the medical records showing I received the shot sent to the agency. Now, I just need to wait for the psych eval.

NOT immune to Rubella - need vaccine

Well, it has been discovered in my last delivery/OB records that I am NOT immune to Rubella. Therefore, I have to get an immunization shot and have it in my system for approximately 3 months before the embryo transfer. If I was to catch MMR during pregnancy, it could do LOTS of damage to the fetus. My OB/Gyn/midwife office does not give these shots so I have to go to my primary, who I haven't seen since before all my children were conceived - almost 5 years ago! I tried to schedule an appt today, but wanted to talk to the nurse to make sure they had it on hand at the office during my appt. I did not know if the dosing was different for adults from the children's dose. I would hate to travel the 45 minutes to get the vaccine and not have what I need. I will get this appt done ASAP to keep moving forward!

Questions to answer

Jen asks:
I have so many questions about this. Maybe this is too personal and none of my business, so just tell me so if that is how you feel. Are you using your eggs with the father's sperm? Sperm donation? Is this done through IUI or IVF? If IUI with medications, did they tell you the risk of multiple pregnancy? If IVF, are you using an embryo donation? If so, is the embryo from the parents? Do you know which medication cocktail you will be taking? Ok-that is all for now.

Jen - you should know better by now - I am an open book. There is almost no question, when asked sincerely, that I am offended by......I am willing to answer almost anything. Feel free to ask any questions along this process.

I am NOT using my eggs. I would NOT want to do this as I feel some ownership to my DNA. I would not want to give my DNA to a child that would be raised by someone other than myself and my husband.

It varies with each person/couple, but with the couple I am matched with, the embryo/s will contain eggs from the mother and sperm from the father. The intended parents actually have a 4 year old child that they conceived and carried naturally. Her pregnancy was wonderful, but there was complications with the delivery. She had developed TTP/HELLP and it did not present itself until time of delivery. If I remember correctly, she almost died, was in a coma, needed several corrective surgeries, needed dialysis, and was unable to hold her child for several months. Needless to say she nor her family want her to take that risk again. They thought about adoption, but strongly desire their biological child.

Typically, the embryos will be placed IVF. I am not sure of exactly what medication I will be taking and the exact procedures that I will undergo, but I am familiar with the standard practices of gestational surrogacy. My menstrual cycle will need to be on track with the intended mother's so my uterine lining is thickened and ready at the same time egg retrieval is happening from the mother. I may need to take oral and/or injections to make this happen. Here is a list of commonly used medication used during an IVF cycle for both myself and the mother. I am not sure exactly what drug cocktail I will be using until later.

I have been told that the parent's are requesting to transfer 2 embryos. I am willing to do this, but understand the greater risk it involves. I would be happy with 1, concerned - but willing with 2, and scared with anything beyond that.

Here is another link with FAQ's that may interest you. Let me know if you have further questions.

Psychological evaluation scheduled

I am scheduled to have my psychological evaluation completed July 30. I will need to talk with the doctor for about 90 minutes for a consultation then complete a 1 hour test. We will get to see just how crazy I really am! ;) Slow, but steady progress. Looking forward to contract phase and impregnating phase. However, NOT looking forward to hormone shots!